Grewia villosa
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64401f0bd5f9b350148150 |
| Scientific name | Grewia villosa |
| Authority | Willd. |
| First published in | Neue Schriften Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin 4: 205 (1803) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Grewia villosa is woven into everyday household healing in several African communities. In Malawi, people often boil the fresh or dried leaves to make a decoction that they drink to calm stomachaches and diarrhea (Arnold & Gely, 1988; Jorgensen et al., 1988). Among the Kamba of Kenya, pounded root bark is macerated in water or in a local spirit to ease abdominal pain and dysentery, while the mucilaginous leaves are sometimes infused and taken as a mild drink for digestive upset (Heine & Heine, 1988; Bussmann & Sharon, 2006). In Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, traditional healers pour a weak leaf infusion over wounds and bruises, and in parts of southern Ethiopia and the Horn, healers prepare leaf decoctions for griping stomach pain, diarrhea, and to settle nausea (Richmond-Smith, 1982; Beentje, 1994; Nagda et al., 1999). Across these regions the emphasis is on simple preparations—leaf or root, hot water, and time—to address stomach-related discomforts and dysenteries.
Active constituents reported for Grewia villosa include flavonoids (such as quercetin and kaempferol derivatives), phenolic acids, hydrolysable and condensed tannins, and triterpenoid saponins (Bussmann & Sharon, 2006; Aswal et al., 2012; Pedersen et al., 2013). These compounds explain the astringent and antimicrobial actions that likely underlie the leaves’ stomach-soothing and wound-rinsing uses, and the bitter saponins may contribute to digestive stimulation. The plant’s mucilaginous texture also explains why infusions are felt as soothing and protective to irritated mucous membranes.
A practical recipe: For a mild leaf tea to support digestion and diarrhea, use 10–15 grams of fresh leaves (about 2–3 heaping tablespoons) or 3–5 grams of dried leaves, add to 250 mL of nearly boiling water, cover and steep 5–10 minutes, then strain. Drink up to one cup 2–3 times daily as needed. A stronger decoction for griping stomach pain uses 20–25 grams of fresh leaves or 5–8 grams of dried leaves simmered in 250 mL water for 10–15 minutes; drink one cup as needed. Safety: use modest doses; avoid during pregnancy and lactation due to lack of safety data. Avoid drinking concentrated decoctions for more than a few days; discontinue if nausea or worsening symptoms occur. If symptoms persist or you are pregnant, nursing, under medical care, or on medications, consult a qualified clinician.
Modern relevance: Grewia villosa remains widely available through community herbalists and informal markets, while recent ethnopharmacological work continues to document its stomach-calming role across eastern and southern Africa.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Fruit: The ripe berries are eaten fresh or processed into jam, syrup, or dried snacks; their high sugar content makes them suitable for such preparations.
- Leaves: Young leaves are used as a leafy vegetable, cooked in stews or boiled as a side dish.
- Bark: The bark yields a bast fiber used for making rope, twine, and woven baskets.
- Wood: Branches and stems provide fuel (firewood and charcoal) and small‑scale timber for construction, fencing, and tool handles.
Industrial and craft applications:
- Bark fiber is employed in rural crafts for cordage and basketry; its tensile strength and flexibility are suitable for these uses.
- Wood is worked for carving and the production of small wooden implements; it also serves as a raw material for charcoal in local industries.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
- The berries are eaten raw or incorporated into culinary preparations such as jams and preserves.
- Leaves are cooked as a vegetable component of local meals.
- No fermented beverages are documented for this species.
Wood and fiber:
- Grewia villosa provides moderately dense wood and a durable bast fiber.
- The wood is used for structural elements in low‑cost housing and as a source of firewood; the fiber is harvested from the inner bark for rope and mat making.
Properties relevant to use:
- The bast fiber is noted for its flexibility and tensile strength, making it suitable for rope and basketry.
- The wood is moderately dense and shows low shrinkage after seasoning, which aids its use in construction and tool making.
Standards and regulation:
- The species is not listed as threatened (IUCN Least Concern), and national forest regulations in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda permit controlled harvesting for timber and fiber.
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Grewia villosa is assessed by the IUCN as Least Concern due to its wide distribution and ability to regenerate after cutting.
- It is commonly integrated into agroforestry systems where it provides fruit, fodder, and soil‑stabilising benefits.
- Sustainable harvesting practices—such as selective cutting of mature stems and allowing natural regrowth—support long‑term availability.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Tridermia papillosa | Raf. | Sylva Tellur. : 145 (1838) |
| Balmeda corylifolia | Nocca | Syn. Pl. Hort. Ticin. , App.: 21 (1804) |
| Grewia chaunothamnus | K.Schum. | Notizbl. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 3: 103 (1901) |
| Grewia corylifolia | (Nocca) A.Rich. | Fl. Seneg. Tent. : 95 (1831) |
| Grewia echinulata | Delile | Voy. Méroé 4(prepr.): 82 (1826) |
| Grewia heynei | Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 1: 706 (1840) |
| Grewia micropetala | Bertol. | Horti Bonon. Pl. Nov. 2: 12 (1839) |
| Grewia orbiculata | G.Don | Gen. Hist. 1: 551. 1831 [early Aug 1831] |
| Grewia villifera | Sweet | Hort. Brit. , ed. 2: 71 (1830) |
| Grewia villosa | B.Heyne ex Roth | Nov. Pl. Sp. 248. 1821 [Apr 1821] |
| Grewia villosa var. glabrior | K.Schum. | Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 33: 307 1903 |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans | malvarosyntjie |
| Arabic | نشم وبري |
| Persian | پوترو فندوقی |
| Hausa | gwiwar rakumi |
| Hebrew | גרויה שעירה |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Uganda
-
Macaronesia
- Cape Verde
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Djibouti
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Somalia
- Sudan
-
South Tropical Africa
- Angola
- Mozambique
- Zimbabwe
-
Southern Africa
- Botswana
- Caprivi Strip
- Kwazulu-Natal
- Namibia
- Northern Provinces
- Swaziland
-
West Tropical Africa
- Benin
- Burkina
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Togo
-
West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Zaïre
-
East Tropical Africa
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Arabian Peninsula
- Gulf States
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Yemen
-
Western Asia
- Iran
- Palestine
-
Arabian Peninsula
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Bangladesh
- India
- Pakistan
-
Indian Subcontinent
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000710393 |
| USDA Plants | GRVI7 |
| Tropicos | 32200028 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:834635-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2833491 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 684668 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 493992 |
| IUCN Red List | 19218725 |
| IPNI | 834635-1 |
| iNaturalist | 431080 |
| GBIF | 4259732 |
| Freebase | /m/08g92_ |
| USDA GRIN | 312759 |
| Wikipedia | Grewia_villosa |
| CMAUP | NPO7966 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives | |||||
| Trigonelline | 5570 | Click to see | 137.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[2-[(1S,4R,7R,10S)-10-hydroxy-7-methyl-12-oxatricyclo[5.3.2.01,6]dodec-5-en-4-yl]propan-2-yloxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 21592245 | Click to see | 414.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Elemane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| 2-[(1R,3R,4S)-4-ethenyl-4-methyl-3-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexyl]propan-2-ol | 20057139 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides | |||||
| (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(1R,2R,4aS,5S,8R,8aR)-5,8-dihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-4a,8-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8a-octahydronaphthalen-1-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 20055913 | Click to see | 434.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(1S,2R,4aS,5S,8aR)-5-hydroxy-4a-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-8-methyl-2,3,4,5,6,8a-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 101938835 | Click to see CC1=CCC(C2(C1C(C(CC2)C(C)(C)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)CO)O | 432.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(1S,2R,4aS,5S,8aR)-5-hydroxy-4a-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-8-methylidene-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8a-octahydronaphthalen-1-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 101938834 | Click to see | 432.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(1R,2R,4aS,5S,8R,8aR)-5,8-dihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-4a,8-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8a-octahydronaphthalen-1-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 21592257 | Click to see | 596.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Dictamnoside A | 44560015 | Click to see CC12CCC(C3(C1C(C(CC3)C(C)(C)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)CO2)O | 432.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Dictamnoside D | 20055915 | Click to see CC1(CCC(C2(C1C(C(CC2)C(C)(C)O)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)CO)O)O | 450.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids / Limonoids | |||||
| (1R,2R,4S,7S,8S,11S,12R,18S)-7-(furan-3-yl)-1,8,12,17,17-pentamethyl-3,6,16-trioxapentacyclo[9.9.0.02,4.02,8.012,18]icos-13-ene-5,15,20-trione | 38349717 | Click to see CC1(C2CC(=O)C3(C(C2(C=CC(=O)O1)C)CCC4(C35C(O5)C(=O)OC4C6=COC=C6)C)C)C | 454.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,2R,7S,10S,13R,14R,16S,19S,20S)-19-(furan-3-yl)-9,9,13,20-tetramethyl-4,8,15,18-tetraoxahexacyclo[11.9.0.02,7.02,10.014,16.014,20]docosane-5,12,17-trione | 92966492 | Click to see | 470.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1S,2R,4S,7S,8S,11R,12R,13S,18R,20R)-13-acetyloxy-7-(furan-3-yl)-1,8,12,17,17-pentamethyl-5,15-dioxo-3,6,16-trioxapentacyclo[9.9.0.02,4.02,8.012,18]icosan-20-yl] acetate | 101362570 | Click to see | 558.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7Alpha-Obacunyl Acetate | 57390140 | Click to see | 498.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Limonin | 179651 | Click to see | 470.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Obacunone | 119041 | Click to see | 454.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Ergostane steroids / Ergosterols and derivatives | |||||
| 22,23-Dihydrobrassicasterol | 5283637 | Click to see CC(C)C(C)CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C | 400.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Pregnane steroids / Gluco/mineralocorticoids, progestogins and derivatives | |||||
| Pregnenolone | 8955 | Click to see CC(=O)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C | 316.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroid lactones | |||||
| (E)-3-[(1R,2R,5R,6R,7R,10S,11S,14S)-11-(furan-3-yl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-2,6,10-trimethyl-3,13-dioxo-12,15-dioxatetracyclo[8.5.0.01,14.02,7]pentadecan-6-yl]prop-2-enoic acid | 21140842 | Click to see CC12CCC3C(C(CC(=O)C3(C14C(O4)C(=O)OC2C5=COC=C5)C)C(C)(C)O)(C)C=CC(=O)O | 472.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1R,2R,7S,10R,12R,13S,14R,16S,19S,20S)-19-(furan-3-yl)-9,9,13,20-tetramethyl-5,11,17-trioxo-4,8,15,18-tetraoxahexacyclo[11.9.0.02,7.02,10.014,16.014,20]docosan-12-yl] acetate | 100968399 | Click to see | 528.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Evodol | 185481 | Click to see | 484.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutaevin | 441805 | Click to see CC1(C2C(=O)C(C3(C(C24COC(=O)CC4O1)CCC5(C36C(O6)C(=O)OC5C7=COC=C7)C)C)O)C | 486.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7alpha-Hydroxysitosterol | 161816 | Click to see | 430.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Pentacarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| [(3R,5S)-5-[(1R,2R,3S,8R,10R,11R,15S,16S)-3,10-diacetyloxy-2,7,7,11,16-pentamethyl-5-oxo-6-oxatetracyclo[9.7.0.02,8.012,16]octadec-12-en-15-yl]-2-oxooxan-3-yl] acetate | 102527309 | Click to see | 602.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tetracarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| [(1R,2R,3S,8R,10R,11R,15S,16S)-3-acetyloxy-15-[(3S,5R)-5-hydroxy-6-oxooxan-3-yl]-2,7,7,11,16-pentamethyl-5-oxo-6-oxatetracyclo[9.7.0.02,8.012,16]octadec-12-en-10-yl] acetate | 102527308 | Click to see | 560.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tricarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| [(1S,3bR,4R,5aR,10aR,10bR,12aS)-1-[(3S,5R)-5-hydroxy-6-oxooxan-3-yl]-3b,6,6,10a,12a-pentamethyl-8-oxo-1,2,4,5,5a,10b,11,12-octahydroindeno[5,4-g][2]benzoxepin-4-yl] acetate | 102527310 | Click to see | 500.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Tertiary alcohols | |||||
| (1S,3aR,8aR)-1-methyl-4-methylidene-2,3,3a,5,6,8a-hexahydroazulen-1-ol | 10058083 | Click to see | 178.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(1R,3aS,4S,6S,8aR)-1,6-dihydroxy-1,4-dimethyl-2,3,3a,5,6,8a-hexahydroazulen-4-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 11003271 | Click to see | 374.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[[(1S,3S,3aS,4R,8aS)-3,4-dihydroxy-1,4-dimethyl-2,3,3a,5,6,8a-hexahydroazulen-1-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 101938836 | Click to see | 374.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| NCGC00380994-01_C21H30O12_4-Acetyl-2-methoxyphenyl 6-O-(6-deoxy-alpha-L-mannopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 9832854 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(C=C(C=C3)C(=O)C)OC)O)O)O)O)O)O | 474.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dioxepanes / 1,4-dioxepanes | |||||
| Calodendrolide | 478835 | Click to see | 260.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isobenzofurans | |||||
| 9Beta-Hydroxyfraxinellone | 478833 | Click to see | 248.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Fraxinellone | 124039 | Click to see | 232.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines | |||||
| Dictamnine | 68085 | Click to see | 199.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gamma-Fagarine | 107936 | Click to see | 229.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isomaculosidine | 3083609 | Click to see CN1C2=C(C=C(C=C2OC)OC)C(=O)C3=C1OC=C3 | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Skimmianine | 6760 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Hydroquinolones | |||||
| 4,7,8-trimethoxy-3-[(E)-3-methylbut-1-enyl]-1H-quinolin-2-one | 6325017 | Click to see CC(C)C=CC1=C(C2=C(C(=C(C=C2)OC)OC)NC1=O)OC | 303.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Preskimmianine | 12305721 | Click to see | 303.35 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Pyranoquinolines | |||||
| (3R)-5,8,9-trimethoxy-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-b]quinolin-3-ol | 101132831 | Click to see CC1(C(CC2=C(C3=C(C(=C(C=C3)OC)OC)N=C2O1)OC)O)C | 319.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,9-Dimethoxy-2,2-dimethylpyrano[2,3-b]quinoline | 44138438 | Click to see | 271.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Furanocoumarins / Psoralens / 8-methoxypsoralens | |||||
| 8-Methoxypsoralen | 4114 | Click to see | 216.19 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Scopoletin | 5280460 | Click to see | 192.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |